1944 Group Build

So, back at it. Got the engines done, half the props on, decals done, now, just rear wheel install and some minor pieces and then the final painting.

Engine detail and exhausts:

One of the props. I'm going to do something about the bronze cowl paint. Too metallic looking. Gonna find another option for that:

Zombie...nuff said!!: 

to prevent silvering, I cut our each letter and roundel:

Great looking Lancaster!  I love how you weathered the props, they look like they've seen a lot of use.

Great looking Lanc. I agree about the cowl's though, odd colour for those. I found this colour plate on wings pallet, but the cowls' here look more like the brown on the camo to me.

And I found this pic on the Sqn website of Zombie as well. I know its black and white, but might give you some idea.

Thanks Bish...I'm thinking maybe a red-brown for the cowls...that enamel bronze I used didn't work out well.

Hey Rob, First, let me say that it is good to have you back. How was your vacation? I hope it was warm and invigorating.

Now, let's turn our attention to that gorgeous Lancaster of yours. What a terrific body of work you have done so far. I second the work on your props. You did an excellent job of achieving a well worn look to them. But, what I really like is the effort you put into trimming your decals. Likely a monotonous amount of work but, the results are fantastic. The decals are clean and realistic. Absolutely wonderful work Rob.

Rob, that Lanc is looking great.  

The cowl ring on the engines is actually metal that has discoloured from heat, that is what gives it a golden brown look.  I have seen some talk about a special paint applied to them to reduce the glow when really hot, but not sure if it applies to this subject.

I remember a thread, elsewhere, from last year.  The members give a few ideas on how they tackle the colouring - might be an idea to take a gander:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234950858-collector-ring-exhaust-coloring/

regards,

Jack

Joe: Thanx, Mexico was great!!

So, I mixed a combo of red-brown and hull red and I am happier with the cowl bronze-ish coloration on the cowls:

Now that does look better.

Mo better.

Tks guys. The Testors bronze I put on looked like a 70s customized van colour!! LOL. Anyway, it worked out much better. Yes, Joe, trimming out those Cartograph decals was the way to go. Cartograph produces a nice set of decals, but, they are thick. You can`t hide that clear carrier film against black paint, thus, the meticulous trim job.

Lovely work on that Lanc, Rob! The new collector ring color looks much better!

Hi Bish...

I was wondering if I could take part in this Group Build also.  I just got back into modeling after a 30 year layoff.  I picked up a Tamiya M4 Sherman (1/35) kit over the weekend and just started constructing it.  Although looking at some of the finished models, I don't think mine would be up to par but it would be fun trying!  

You most certainly can, and don't worry, its a great way to pick up ideas and improve your building. and don't worry, all levels are more than welcome and encouraged.

Any questions on GB's or anything else, feel free to ask. I know Spartan will ad you to the roster as soon as he pops back in.

Bish is right, I got you added to the build list!

I'm looking forward to seeing your Sherman (the Tamiya kit should be a nice and simple build)!

Hey kingbobyjr, Welcome to the GB. It's great to have you join us. Like you I returned to the hobby about 6yrs ago and immediately joined the forum here. I cannot begin to tell you how much my modeling improved by jumping into some GBs and just simply building. Do not hesitate to ask any questions as everyone is more than happy to help out. I am definitely looking forward to your Sherman. Most importantly, just relax and have fun.

King: nice start on your Sherman.  I'm working on the same kit for this GB.

Great start king. Is armor your favorite subject to model?

Looks like you're off to a great start, King!

Joe - When I was younger, all I modeled was cars & planes.  But after discovering a game called World Of Tanks, I got hooked on armor.  So it will be armor for the time being.

Great to see my fav tank (for obvious reasons!!! ). Always love seeing this tank being produced. Interestingly, since I`ve gotten away from armour modelling, I don`t even have one in my collection. Gotta rectify that!!

Nice start king.

King - Welcome aboard, looking forward to watching your progress.

Rob - Your Lanc looks fantastic and is really motivating me to order one.  What a great job!

I would love to build the "Mynarski" Lanc, as I grew up looking at that airframe everyday in my hometown (Goderich, On) until it was removed in '77 to be restored.  We occasionally see it flying around here in Trenton, and it was just here for 424 Sqn's 70th celebration last fall.

Allen

Is that the same one they fly out of Hamilton each year for the Rusty Blakey show? I live in Toronto and have yet to go see this famous Lanc fly!! Maybe this year...

That's the one.  It is an amazing sight (and sound) !

Hello there!  Just wondering if I can get on this one.  Thanks!

Well, I got steaming along through the week and was having so much fun with this little kit that I forgot all about snapping pics along the way!  This is my first Airfix kit (have only built Tamiya since returning to the hobby, and Monograms as a kid) and I really like it...so much so that I've ordered another one that I plan to do up as Pulverizer II.

The cockpit is going to be next to impossible to see so I didn't spend a huge amount of time in there.  The I/P is a decal, which is probably just as well.  I'd need a microscope to see what I was doing otherwise.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the first time I've ever cut away panels on a model, so I was a bit nervous.  The kit includes the gun bays so you can show 1 or both if you like.  I've opted for both....what the heck.

After following the directions and painting the gear bays medium grey, I did some internet searching and learned that they were actually aluminum...D'oh!

Here they are corrected, and dirtied up a bit.  I need to remove some errant yellow that found itself in places other than the Oxygen bottle.  (coffee probably didn't help me while trying to paint)

I sprayed parts of the lower wing that will be visible through the gun bay, and grunged it up a bit too.  I really like the way they marked the locations to drill for either the rocket rails or bomb racks...no guess work!

Popped the wings on...

...and took a blurry photo.

The wheels and propeller I did with Nato Black.  It isn't quite as harsh looking to me as flat black.  They flattened and bulged the tires a little which is nice.

I did up the spinner and prop last night...

Then primed tonight.

I'll have a look tomorrow and see what I need to go over again, but hopefully will be able to start with colour soon.

Thanks for looking!

Allen

Super work Allen. You have done a great job so far. Nice job on cutting out the gun bay doors and the guns look great also. How did you cut the panel out? I too am a fan of NATO Black. Great for tires and props.

 Now for the amazing coincidence. I had just finished cutting out the oil cooler exhaust ports out on my Hellcat in order to install the PE replacement in the open position, when I caught your post. You see, that was the first time I had ever actually done some major surgery on a model also. I slowly cut mine out with my UMM razor saw. I've got some evening out to do to get the new PE part square. Funny huh?

You certainly can Cody. Just let us know what kit and scale and Spartan can add you to the roster. Welcome aboard.

Nice work there Allen, some nice detail there. after seeing your armour builds, I'm looking forward to this.